Re: Lisa Ann, are you out there?

Hi Joyce,

It has been quite busy around here the last couple days with Family visiting and all the Hospice Team Members making thier initial visits.To say the least, it gets exhausting sometimes, when you are already tired and then have all the company to entertain and prepare meals for. I guess in a way it is good to keep my mind occupied, but after everyone is gone, there's the clean up etc. Then when I can no longer stand, and try to rest, my mind starts working and doens't let me sleep.

Dad's condition has not changed much, he is still eating very little and vomiting quite a few times a day. On Saturday, we had a problem with him being constipated so bad, I thought we were going to have to call Hospice out. He was in so much pain and discomfort, and it had been 8 days since he last had a bowel movement. We had just started him on Senokot-S, twice daily, but he was already blocked up. I had ran to the nearest drug store to pick up a fleets enema and was back in record breaking time, but he had finally gone. He looked like something posessed by that time. He was soaked with sweat, had vomited all over on top of everything else, and was just wiped out. He had company coming that afternoon, and I wasn't sure how he would be.He drank some soda and finally went and took a nap for several hours.

My oldest brother and his wife came around noon time, and he did get up. He looked much better, and actually was talking and joking like normal. They stayed for about 2 1/2 hours, and then my little sister and her husband came just as they were leaving. They stayed overnight, so he said his hello's and went back to bed for another mega nap. He was able to spend time with them later that evening. Upon awakening Sunday morning, he was complaining of alot of pain, once again his patch was just changed out earlier that morning, and he was having breakthrough pain and then had a bout of vomiting. He took some Oxycodone, and went to try and sleep the pain away. My second oldest brother came to visit later in the afternoon, and we all sat outside on the deck since it was such a beautiful day, and Dad did manage to come down for about an hour or so. You could see in his face that he was still very painful and was just not focusing very well. He finally went back to bed and slept until the next morning. He got up fairly early, and felt much better, once again the pain was under control. He was joking and doing it very well. He took Wooden Match Sticks, and wrapped one of his address lables around them to make a funeral flag, and said that he was going to pass these out to people he wanted to attend his cremation. He said if the incinerator did not ignite, that everyone could light thier matches and get it started. Only my Dad could pull this off, and make people laugh.

Yesterday(Monday) ,he was in good spirits and actually came outside and Dad and I managed to spend some quality time alone for once. Mom had gone to the store,so we were alone. I was able to have my heart to heart talk with him that I never thought I could.It felt so incredible to finally tell him how much I Love him, and that I don't know what I am going to do without him. We talked of some old times, but mostly, about his cancer and dying wishes. I told him that I would always be here for him and whatever he wanted or needed I would get or do. He told me that he knew all that, and that he Loved me too. You have to understand, that in all my life, I have only heard him say those words but 4 times. I can now hold those words close to my heart forever and know that he meant them. He hugged me and kissed me, and I thought I would just melt away. DAD, I LOVE YOU.He spoke of his children, children that never call on Father's day or send him a birthday card, and although he says it never bothered him, obviously it does or he would not have bought the topic up. I felt so bad for him, and it is something that has bothered me always.I understand that everyone is busy with thier own lives and families, but to call every once in awhile or to send a card isn't that much to ask. Thats were my anger lies, because now, when his time here is short, everyone seems to care about what is going on. They all want to know what is happening and what decisions are being made. Well as many of you have said to me, I have to let the anger go, and they all have to deal with thier own guilt. I know in my heart, that I have always been here for my Dad, and will be until the very end.

Mom and I went to the funeral home and made the arrangements, which was hard on both of us. Financially, they have been in trouble for many years, and he only has a very small life insurance policy to cover the cost of the funeral expenses. Not one of his children have offered any financial help to date. Out of site, out of mind. I guess they just figure Steve and I will pay for all of the costs not covered, as we have taken care of them for many years, hence why they live here with us. Steve has been more of a son to him than any of them as far as I am concerned. I will do whatever it takes, to make certain things are taken care of. I also promised my Dad, that we would continue to take care of Mom after his passing.Sometimes it is all so overwhelming, and it is just beginning.

I guess I have babbled enough again for one night, and thank you for letting me vent some of my feelings. It feels goog to get them out in the open.

Re: Lisa Ann, are you out there?

Hi Missing U,

I hope this message finds you well. So very much of what you have said is true. The days here are getting a little shorter and the temperatures are beginning to cool.Winter has always been a bad time of year for Dad. He absolutley hates the cold.That comes from many years working in it and suffering frostbite etc. He always goes into a little state of depression this time of year. This past spring, we should have known that something was wrong with him, as it is the time of year that he comes out of the winter blues and is very active outside, even if he were just puttering in the garage and barn. He didn't do that this year. He was tired most of the time, and just would say he felt yucky. Of course he didn't feel bad enough to go to the Doctor's. He just assumed it would pass.

I am sure you take great comfort in knowing that you were so very close to your Dad and that you were with him when he left this world. I am certain I will find much comfort in that also.It is the part of saying goodbye that I find the most difficult. I can no longer live in denial, because any hope we had has been taken away. It is all such a big reality now. Having family and friends coming to visit, and say thier goodbye's, while he is still here with us, is upsetting to say the least. When visits are nearing the end, sometimes Dad gets up and goes back to rest, as if he doesn't want to have to say bye, thinking maybe its the last time he will see them. Thats just my thought, but he does it often. I suppose thats his own way of dealing with it.

I am trying to find my inner strength to get me through the days, weeks or maybe the months ahead. I feel as though my world is forever going to change, and how will I cope. Dad handles it all with his humor, so you can't get serious. I think it makes him very uncomfortable to see anyone sad. So we just put on our smiley faces, and live each day to the fullest. What will I do when the humor is gone forever? What will I do without him?I miss him already, and yet he is still here with me.

I suppose I will feel as you do, taking much comfort in knowing that I was here for him. Helping him leave this world, just as he watched me come into it 45 years ago.I see so many people that lose thier parents, just pick up and move on without missing a heartbeat, how I ask myself?

Thanks for all your Prayers and Caring,Bright Blessings Back to You,Lisa

The information expressed is not medical advice. The discussion boards are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for the medical advice of physicians or other healthcare providers. Read the full disclaimer.